TV: Big Ten Network, which means for much of Pennsylvania you are shut out unless you have DirecTV or watch at a sports bar. I’ll be watching at a sports bar, probably at one in my hometown of Lancaster.

About the game: Excitement meter will register at about 2 with MAC opponent Buffalo in town. The Bulls, who pummeled Temple last week, could make things interesting for a while because veteran QB Drew Willy is accurate passer who spreads it around among receivers and backs. But do not confuse him, say, with that other Buffalo QB, Jim Kelly. Running back Mario Henry also has impressive stats, however it is doubtful the Bulls will put up more than 10 points against what has become an impressive first-team Lion D. State passing game, meanwhile, should flourish, while its running game eventually should have its way against undersized Buffalo D-line. Game won’t be over by halftime, but will be by end of third quarter. Penn State 41, Buffalo 10.

What to watch for: If Lions get pressure on Buffalo QB Willy with just front four, it will be a long day for the Bulls. If State needs to blitz to apply pressure, Willy will have opportunities to move the ball. … Can Lion QB Anthony Morelli (right) rebound from mediocre Notre Dame game? … How much will Lions show on offense, knowing Big Ten schedule begins next week with Michigan? … Will Lions have letdown or be looking ahead even though entire free world is on upset alert after Michigan-Appalachian State game two weeks ago? … How many fans, especially students, will be no-shows at the Beav?

Watched the replay of Michigan-Appalachian State on Wednesday night. Michigan still lost.

PENN STATE'S WIDE RECEIVERS

Received several excellent comments on my blog about State's wide receivers being a disappointment after their fine freshman season in 2005. Some say the blame belongs with the offense as a whole, or with the quarterback.

Here's one more tidbit about Derrick Williams, uncovered by my son Kevin, a freshman at Penn State. D-Will was considered the nation's top recruit, with rivals.com ranking him as its No. 1 athlete of the 2005 class. The second-ranked athlete in the class was running back Darren McFadden, who enrolled at Arkansas. Two-plus years later, D-Will has eight career touchdowns. McFadden has 32.

AND FINALLY

A big thank you to Jaime Cser of The Morning Call's interactive department. She redesigned my blog and it looks great. Next week, I hear, she'll be redesigning the Louvre.

Current Comments

Second, while I agree that Williams has not lived up to the hype, I will never speak bad of him. His commitment helped land many good players in that class. I think we need to give him a pass.

I also think the offense has problems that limit his big play ability. In 2005, with MRob at the helm, Williams and King both made big plays due to Mrob's play making ability. MRob kept defenses' honest.

Posted By: Mike | Sep 18, 2007 12:34:36 PM

This Saturday should be a wild one. Hopefully the Nittany Lions can finally pull one out in Ann Arbor!